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Mike Kattner '18

Occupational Therapy Assistant, College for Adults

Diversity is so welcomed here, and you can speak your mind.

Interview by Katie Molnau ’17

Hometown

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Why St. Kate's?

Mike was a hairstylist, but after pursuing that career for seven years he wanted to help people in a more rewarding way. So, he decided to become an occupational therapy (OT) assistant — and “I wanted to go to St. Kate’s because of its great background and how reputable the OT program is in the field.”

Deciding on an Area of Study

During a career assessment test, “OT showed up in my top 5 brackets,” he says. “I studied up on it, and it was everything I wanted to do.”

Building Experience

Mike volunteered in an after-school program with children as part of his “Human Occupations 2” class and with a local garden and Bridging, a nonprofit that provides furniture and household items to local low-income families, through his "Ethics in Healthcare” course.

“I know that if I work hard during my time at St. Kate’s, I will gain the tools I need to succeed in life. The faculty here go above and beyond their call of duty, and are wonderful examples of the generous spirit of University’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph.”

Today

Mentoring children has inspired him to “want to work with kids with mental health in my profession.” Mike plans to further explore his profession in San Francisco “because St. Kate’s has a West Coast cohort and connections there.”

That’s right. St. Kate's OTA program is the first in the United States and, in addition to classes on the Minneapolis campus, it’s offered in a partially online format — with fieldwork and lab hours — in Virginia and California.

Advice for Students

“The Sisters of St. Joseph paved the way at St. Kate’s, but it is up to us to continue their mission of compassion by embracing diversity and being of service."